An inspiring life even with deep sadness

Read about Maud Nightingdale, who just died. Every life is so precious and the bravery of those who suffer loss with grace, like this lady, is everyday inspiration. I hope that someone does come forward with some information.

In her life you can read about some of the things I have touched on in my blog: memories of World War II and patriotism, a traditional marriage, large family (10 births!), children that die young, the consequences of drunk driving on the innocent, being widowed, violence and how it tears at a mother's heart, and the joys of a children who had a real homemaking mother.


http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/Nighta39s-mum-dies-without-seeing.4839989.jp

snip

Nighta's mum dies without seeing killers caught

Published Date: 02 January 2009
By Lisa Nightingale
Crime reporter

ALL she wanted was to see her son's killers brought to justice.
But for Maud Nightingale it is a day she will never see after she lost her fight for life on Christmas Eve.

For 12 years the 85-year-old struggled to come to terms with the brutal murder of her youngest child Kevin. Since he was gunned down in 1996, Mrs Nightingale spent every moment clinging onto the hope that one day his killers would be caught.

The 33-year-old was shot on the doorstep of his home in Drake Close, South Shields. His killers have never been caught. Last year, on the 11th anniversary of his death, Mrs Nightingale broke her silence about her son's death, weeping as she begged the people of South Tyneside to help find the person who pulled the trigger.

Daughter Jen Bullock said: "Since Kevin died her health went downhill. "The only thing that kept her going was the hope there would be a prosecution. "It just breaks our hearts knowing she will never know who killed her son." The family have vowed to continue their fight to bring the father-of-two's killers to justice, not only in his memory, but for their mother. Mrs Nightingale (nee Shaw) was born and grew up in South Shields.

At 17, she left her hometown to play her part in the war effort working in a munitions factory in Birmingham. When she returned to South Shields, she took up singing and dancing in various clubs in the town until she met and married her husband Andrew Nightingale.

The couple went on to have 10 children; Andrew, 63, Thomas, who died when he was just nine months old, Richard, 61, twins Elizabeth and Ethel, 60, John, 58, William, 56, Jen, 53, Diane, 50 and Kevin.

Described by her family as a strong-willed lady who loved playing bingo, she took on the role of both mother and father to her children after her husband was killed by a drink driver as he crossed John Reid Road, aged 49. Her son Richard said: "Dad's death devastated the family, but she kept us all together and made sure we never went without. She did everything to protect us. "They were good parents who did the best they could.

"They were good providers and always made sure there was something on the table for us.

"And what she couldn't make with rhubarb wasn't worth knowing about – she was a fantastic cook and a tremendous mother."

Mrs Nightingale died in her sleep at her home in Bainbridge Avenue, Simonside, after suffering a heart attack. She was with her two daughters Ethel and Diane. A church service will take place for Mrs Nightingale at St Simon's Church, Wenlock Road, on Monday at 10.30am, followed by a service at Harton Cemetery at 11.15am, where she will be buried next to her husband. Mrs Nightingale leaves eight children, 20 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren.

*Anyone with information on the killing of Kevin Nightingale is asked to contact police on 03456 043 043 or crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. All calls will be dealt with in the strictist of confidence.